Social media can be a very powerful tool when used correctly by businesses. However, an unfortunate number of companies end up running into trouble on these sites, and it comes back to bite them. When you are using the social media platforms, keep all of the following mistakes in mind and be sure to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Paying for Followers

When a business first starts to use social media, it can be daunting to see that they have so few followers and fans. However, one of the worst things you can do is pay for followers. When you gain fans and followers, you want them to be actual people who have an interest in your company and what you offer. This is the only way to create engagement. Paid for and fake followers will do nothing for you at all.

Mistake #2: Not Integrating Social Media

When you are using social media, you cannot think of it as a separate entity from the rest of your business and your other marketing. You need to have them integrate and work with one another. Your social media should connect to your website and include information about the content you offer, for example. Your site should have buttons that will allow people to share content they find on their own social media networks.

Mistake #3: Social Media Meltdowns

This is one of the most egregious mistakes. People on social media may say bad things about your company, your products, and your services. No matter what they say, it is no excuse to have a breakdown online and to go after them. The best course of action is to ignore the ranting or a troll. If a customer has a legitimate complaint, you can resolve the issue for them. Always make sure you are keeping things civil though.

Mistake #4: The Constant Oversell

When people agree to follow you on social media, they did not sign a contract that allows you to continue to spam them with constant messages to buy. It is a good platform for digital marketing, but you need to make sure that you also have quality content. You cannot have all of your messages be selling, or else you will soon find the well of followers will dry up.

Mistake #5: Not Having Visuals

This is relatively new for social media sites, having only become important over the past year or two. People like visuals more than just posts. Adding video and photos can get more people to engage with your page.

Mistake #6: Too Active or Not Active Enough

You need to find the Goldilocks zone when it comes to posting on your social media sites. You don’t want to post ten times a day. However, you also don’t want to go a week or more without posting. Experiment and find what works best for your company.

Make sure your company considers all of these potential social media mistakes so they do not commit them. Social media is fantastic for digital marketing. You just need to do it right.

Kind regards

Anna Ingram

Social Manager

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